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July 14, 2016

Eyewitness Accounts

July 14, 2016

by BP Prospect Staff

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Cody Reed
Thomas Eshelman
Beau Burrows
Jonathan Harris
Chris Paddack
Amed Rosario
Scott Kingery
Austin Meadows
Donnie Dewees
Nick Williams

Cody Reed


	Born: 06/07/1996 (Age: 19)
	Bats: Right	Throws: Left
	Height: 6' 3"	Weight: 245

Large, sturdy frame with strength in legs; Will have to maintain body.

Low 3/4 slot; semi-windup; Starts motion quickly and sinks into back leg with a twist towards 2nd base; Soft stab in the back; Explodes into a flexed front leg before he posts over it; Repeats it consistently and on-line.

Evaluator	James Fisher
Report Date	05/06/2016
Affiliate	Kane County Cougars (Low A, D-backs)
Dates Seen	5/5/16
OFP/Risk	55/High
Realistic	50; 4th Starter
MLB ETA	2019
Video	Yes

Pitch Type	Present Grade	Future Grade	Sitting Velocity	Peak Velocity	Report
Fastball	50	60	90	92	87-92 in this outing; Heavy fastball with arm-side run as well; Deception helps pitch play up with the pitch 'appearing' from his armpit; Plenty of swing and miss;
Curveball	30	40	75	79	1/7 shape with depth; Struggled to stay on top at times; When right, pitch has average bite and depth; Not afraid to throw for strikes in zone as well as a chase pitch down in zone.
Slider	30	60	81	83	Shape wavered between 1/7 and 2/8; At its best when he stays on top with two-plane break starting off the plate and sweeping its way back on; Also starts on the inner half and buries it to hitters hands.
Changeup	40	60	80	83	Repeats arm speed well; Tumble down in zone; Sells the pitch well and will be weapon against right-handers.

Reed has a four-pitch mix that he can locate for strikes. Fastball generates swings and misses and weak contact due to above average combination of movement and deception. Curveball inconsistent but showed ability to throws for strikes and bury the pitch. The slider has two-plane movement with late bite and will be his strikeout pitch in the end. Changeup is an afterthought at present but flashed proper arm speed and tumble down in the zone. Despite the funky delivery, Reed repeats it well and shows the ability to fill the strike zone.

Thomas Eshelman


	Born: 06/20/1994 (Age: 21)
	Bats: Right	Throws: Right
	Height: 6' 3"	Weight: 210

Lacks remaining physical projection. Pitches from a full windup with hands over head; compact; would often rush through his follow-through to disrupt hitters timing; three-quarters slot.

Evaluator	Steve Givarz
Report Date	06/03/2016
Affiliate	Clearwater Threshers (High A, Phillies)
Dates Seen	5/28/2016
OFP/Risk	50/Low
Realistic	Role 5, League-Average Starter
MLB ETA	2018
Video	No

Pitch Type	Present Grade	Future Grade	Sitting Velocity	Peak Velocity	Report
Fastball	50	50	90-92	93	90-92 T93; can manipulate action; either cut/sink; tended to be hittable in zone; able to avoid major damage; plus control, plus command.
Slider	45	50			80-82; short action; moderate tilt and depth.
Changeup	45	50			81-83; mixes to both sides; moderate arm speed with good feel; late tumbling action.
Curveball	35	40			73-75; show-me pitch; started to use third time through order; lacks depth; early break.

Eshelman has plus control of his arsenal, with potentially plus command as well, so while nothing in his pitch mix currently grades out as better than average, the ability to throw strikes with it all helps everything play up.

Control- 60/60
Command- 55/60

Beau Burrows


	Born: 09/18/1996 (Age: 19)
	Bats: Right	Throws: Right
	Height: 6' 2"	Weight: 200

Athletic build with room for growth in the upper body, appears shorter than listed 6-foot-2; throws with average arm speed and a high 3/4 slot from the first base side of the rubber; fluid, clean delivery with medium leg kick and mild effort

Evaluator	Nathan Graham
Report Date	07/06/2016
Affiliate	West Michigan Whitecaps (Low A, Tigers)
Dates Seen	6/30/16
OFP/Risk	55/Low
Realistic	45; Back-end starter/swingman
MLB ETA	2019
Video	Yes

Pitch Type	Present Grade	Future Grade	Sitting Velocity	Peak Velocity	Report
FB	55	60	90-92	94	Heavy fastball with some arm side run that shows some late life; 45 present command
CV	45	55	76-78	79	High 3/4 delivery adds depth to curveball; has 11-5 movement with bite; shows confidence to throw anytime in the count
CH	30	45	80-81	85	Still developing, does show deception and good velocity separation; lacking consistent action and command

Burrows had to deal with two 15 minute plus delays in this outing, the first a scheduled promo, the second a field sprinkler mishap. Has two quality pitches in his arsenal and the potential to add a third. Has a repeatable, easy delivery that could help him develop into a solid major league starter.

Jonathan Harris


	Born: 10/16/1993 (Age: 22)
	Bats: Right	Throws: Right
	Height: 6' 4"	Weight: 175

Body: Tall, angular frame w/lanky appearance. Long, wiry limbs w/ flat chest across upper-half. Will always be lean, though he holds velocity into outings fine.

Delivery: Full windup w/over-head break. Fairly easy out front, occasional modest fall-off to glove-side that looks like it can be cleaned up in time. Starter look overall.

Arm Action: Arm works well through a nearly overhand slot; smooth, easy, fluid finish to arm-stroke out front.

Evaluator	Adam McInturff
Report Date	07/11/2016
Affiliate	Lansing Lugnuts (Low A, Blue Jays)
Dates Seen	July 2016
OFP/Risk	55/Moderate
Realistic	50; 4th Starter
MLB ETA	2017-2018
Video	No

Pitch Type	Present Grade	Future Grade	Sitting Velocity	Peak Velocity	Report
Fastball	55	60	92-93	95	Fluid, smooth arm-stroke generates easy velocity. FB touches 95, sits 92-93 w/ some arm-side run. Easy arm out front jumps ball on hitters. Velocity plays down at present b/c of command within the zone; chance to be true 60 offering w/ projected improvements to pitching to spots w/ FB. Command: Stayed around the zone w/ more control than true command. Long arm in the back holds up command at present, though can be improved. Enough ability to get ahead w/ FB to start.
Cutter/Slider	50	55	88-89	91	Hybrid pitch that works well against RHH; late, darting glove-side action at best. Somewhere between cutter and slider, more SL depth at lower velo band, w/ one-plane cut-type action at 89-91.
Splitter	45	50	87-88	89	Hard 2-seam action on firm splitter 86-89. Sells the pitch at arm-speed at best, pulling the string well for solid arm-side turnover action. Overthrows it a little right now, velocity runs into FB somewhat; might need to push his grip farther back in his hand to take more off the pitch. Thrown mostly to LHH.
Curveball	45	50	79-82	83	True overhand CB 79-83. Tunnels the pitch well off FB; best CBs show late, w/darting 12-6 action. Thrown to both RHH/LHH; still getting consistent feel for maintaining arm-speed and finish pitch w/conviction. Worst ones show early w/ softer, rolling tilt.
Control	50	55			Fairly advanced control and ability to limit walks, confidently utilizing a full four-pitch mix. Control stands to potentially improve a half grade as his arm-circle shortens, which will allow better location w/ FB and CB. Cutter/Slider and Splitter reliably around zone; strikes w/ CB the least developed at present, w/ more feel to expand the zone down than get ahead w/ breaking ball earlier in counts.

High-floor arm with little left to prove in Low-A. Might not have a dominant pitch at the end of the day, but knows how to mix four pitches and stays around the zone w/ starter's delivery and FB that touches the mid-90s. Ceiling is that of a lesser no. 3 starter if command takes half-grade step forward, and he can get more velocity separation from his FB on secondary pitches. Chance top 100 prospect who could reach Toronto in the next 18 months.

Chris Paddack


	Born: 01/08/1996 (Age: 20)
	Bats: Right	Throws: Right
	Height: 6' 4"	Weight: 195

Delivery: Robotic, mechanical appearance to delivery. Funky double rock-step leading into a tall, slightly-turned leg lift. Finishes fairly clean and easy out front and stays on-line through his delivery's finish.

Needs to keep each motion of delivery in check or could see it fall apart, three-quarters slot, little bit aggressive finish

Evaluator	Grant Jones
Report Date	07/12/2016
Affiliate	Fort Wayne TinCaps (Low A, Padres)
Dates Seen	July 7th 2016
OFP/Risk	50/Medium
Realistic	Middle relief
MLB ETA	Late 2018
Video	Yes

Pitch Type	Present Grade	Future Grade	Sitting Velocity	Peak Velocity	Report
FB	55	60	91-93	94	Cutting motion on it usually; moves into zone; solid pitch overall; will work up in zone; also mixes in a two seam fastball that features run and keeps hitters on their feet
CH	60	60	81		Plus pitch already; nice shape; arm side fade and occasional tumble; go to pitch in arsenal; potential to become more as arsenal improves
CB	35	45	79-79		Loopy; fringe at best; need to tighten pitch and work on reps

Relies heavily on his average fastball, and plus change up with confidence. Changeup is go to pitch, will throw to righties. Fastball has life on it and velocity makes it an above average that has makings of a plus that he isn't afraid to work on both sides of the plate, and will work up as well. Mixes both fastballs in at bats, both working in low 90s. Curveball needs a lot of improvement to get to fringe range but spun one that gave hope. Others are more optimistic that saw him on a better day CB wise. Overall future bullpen arm at the major-league level and be a useful piece in the role because of above-average to plus fastball, and plus change up. Possibility of being a starter if curveball comes around, but did not see it at present.

Amed Rosario


	Born: 11/20/1995 (Age: 20)
	Bats: Right	Throws: Right
	Height: 6' 2"	Weight: 170
	Primary Position: SS
	Secondary Position:

Tall and lean, has added 20 pounds of good weight above listed 170, additional room to fill out, moderate physical projection remaining

Evaluator	Thomas Desmidt
Report Date	06/17/2016
Dates Seen	4/19/16, 5/16/16, 5/18/16
Affiliate	St. Lucie Mets (High A, Mets)

MLB ETA	Risk Factor	OFP	Realistic Role	Video
2018	Medium	60	55; above-average regular	Yes

Mature, even-keeled, engages with teammates, leadership qualities

Tool	Future Grade	Report
Hit	55	Wide stance, stands tall, elbow up, slightly pigeon-toed; minimal load, mild leg kick, balanced; above-average bat speed, mild leverage, moderate barrel control; ability to work deep and take it to the opposite field, loud contact; solid discipline, advanced command of the zone, limited swing-and-miss.
Power	45	Gap power, lots of line drives, all-fields pop, doubles and triples hitter; frame and leverage for 15 home runs annually at maturity, potential half-grade of additional projection if he fills out
Baserunning/Speed	70	Plus home to first speed at 4.04, 4.09, 4.11; deceptive speed, long strides, corners hard around first, can stretch long singles into doubles; potential for 30 to 40 stolen bases a year at maturity
Glove	60	Above-average hands and footwork, gets to balls effortlessly, smooth and quick in field, makes quick decisions
Arm	60	Plus throwing arm, strong and accurate from multiple angles, low-effort motion, clean release

Rosario's defensive skills were clear strengths in his game, and along with his speed and developing hit tool he projects as an above-average everyday shortstop at the highest level.

Scott Kingery


	Born: 04/29/1994 (Age: 22)
	Bats: Right	Throws: Right
	Height: 5' 10"	Weight: 180
	Primary Position: 2B
	Secondary Position:

Lean, athletic body; lacks remaining physical projection.

Evaluator	Steve Givarz
Report Date	06/19/2016
Dates Seen	5/13-5/14/2016, 5/27-5/28/2016
Affiliate	Clearwater Threshers (High A, Phillies)

MLB ETA	Risk Factor	OFP	Realistic Role	Video
2018	Low	50	Role 45, second-division regular	No

Tool	Future Grade	Report
Hit	55	Hits from an even, wide stance; small load and lift; short swing path to the ball; good contact ability; average bat speed but makes most of it; quick hands; good eye; level swing plane; advanced hitter.
Power	30	Well below-average raw power; over the fence power not a part of game; more a gap-to-gap power profile; hard-hit doubles; lacks swing plane or loft for more.
Baserunning/Speed	55	Above-average runner; 4.26 H-1B; gets moderate jumps and reads off pitchers; not a burner but is a smart baserunner.
Glove	50	Fringe-average at present; has moderate range on hit balls with speed; average hands; lacks consistency on throws; average footwork; should get to average over time.
Arm	50	average arm strength; enough for 2B; average carry and line; could play at other positions but has not been tested thus far.

With above-average grades on his speed and hitting, Kingery should find a spot in the major leagues at the very least as a utility man. I would like to see some more versatility before then; his defense needs to improve to become an everyday guy; otherwise he becomes more of a square peg in a round hole.

Austin Meadows


	Born: 05/03/1995 (Age: 21)
	Bats: Left	Throws: Left
	Height: 6' 3"	Weight: 200
	Primary Position: CF
	Secondary Position: LF

athletic build; sturdy lower half; strength in upper body without bulk; broad shoulders with slope; injury history, but would not deem prone.

Evaluator	Adam Hayes
Report Date	06/22/2016
Dates Seen	6/11, 6/12
Affiliate	Altoona Curve (AA, Pirates)

MLB ETA	Risk Factor	OFP	Realistic Role	Video
2017	Medium	70	60; First-division outfielder	Yes

Tool	Future Grade	Report
Hit	70	simple load in lower half; slight hitch triggers start of swing; mild bat wrap before level, direct swing; plus bat speed from strong wrists, forearms; middle of the field to pull approach with ability to hit to opposite field with authority; will expand zone.
Power	55	power is mostly to pull side with signs of strength up middle, opposite field; line drives over loft; solid, loud contact; doubles over home runs for now, though capable of 20-homer production
Baserunning/Speed	60	4.13 home to first time; moves easy; strong legs with lengthy stride; will use to impact game
Glove	50	capable in CF for now; athletic with enough speed to cover for shakiness of reads; solid fit in a corner role
Arm	45	tick below-average arm strength; shows carry, though accuracy wavers

Special talent with plus-plus bat and average-or-better tool package. Former first-round pick. Hits with confidence and authority. Outside of slight hitch, swing is simple and direct. Power has potential to be plus raw, but likely above-average in-game; level swing generates more line drives than loft. Hits with enough impact that 20-homer seasons are reasonable, though not imminent. Speed is plus and utilized well; hustles out of the box, steals bases. Defense and arm are low tools, likely average and a tick below. Athletic enough to handle CF in the short-term, but a more comfortable fit in a corner. Arm strength is a bit light; passable in RF, but LF profiles better. Promoted to Triple-A shortly after look. Unique combination of tools that will be fun to watch going forward. An elite prospect.

Donnie Dewees


	Born: 09/29/1993 (Age: 22)
	Bats: Left	Throws: Left
	Height: 5' 11"	Weight: 180
	Primary Position: CF
	Secondary Position: LF

Athletic build with projection remaining for increased muscle

Evaluator	Nathan Graham
Report Date	07/06/2016
Dates Seen	5X May-July 2016
Affiliate	South Bend Cubs (Low A, Cubs)

MLB ETA	Risk Factor	OFP	Realistic Role	Video
2019	Moderate	45	40; Reserve Outfielder	Yes

Tool	Future Grade	Report
Hit	55	Starts slightly open with a moderate crouch, high hands and uses a mild load and leg kick; above-average bat speed; barrels the ball well and can go to all fields; moderate swing and miss.
Power	40	Above-average bat speed generates line drive power to all fields; some additional projection of strength.
Baserunning/Speed	70	4.00 average of 4 clocks; 3.94 on a dig; good instincts; efficient base stealer.
Glove	45	Good athlete who takes solid routes and shows moderate range.
Arm	40	Accurate arm but lacks velocity and carry.

Solid, athletic outfielder with above-average hit tool and plus-plus speed. If the arm and defense allow him to stick in CF he could project to an everyday player, if not he might top out as a fourth outfielder.

Nick Williams


	Born: 09/08/1993 (Age: 22)
	Bats: Left	Throws: Left
	Height: 6' 3"	Weight: 195
	Primary Position: LF
	Secondary Position: RF

long, lean frame; mature, durable build; sturdy lower half; upper body strength, more sinewy than bulky; broad shoulders with little taper to waist

Evaluator	Adam Hayes
Report Date	07/13/2016
Dates Seen	4/16, 4/18, 4/19, 5/19, 5/20, 5/27, 5/28, 6/14
Affiliate	Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA, Phillies)

MLB ETA	Risk Factor	OFP	Realistic Role	Video
2017	Medium	60	50; Second-division regular	Yes

Tool	Future Grade	Report
Hit	60	keeps load on back foot with leg kick, easy transfer forward; quiet hands, short path with plus bat speed; swing-miss in zone, can be beaten by velocity; will expand zone for offspeed offerings, throw hands and lunge; swing-first mentality will limit walks; tendency to pull on the ground, work middle-away in the air
Power	45	raw power to pull side; can drive ball gap-to-gap; middle-away approach limits HR output; speed and ability drive to gaps will lead to extra bases
Baserunning/Speed	50	4.20 home to first time; speed plays better in field; capable of taking extra bases, though stolen bases are not an active part of game
Glove	55	capable of covering ground in CF, though struggles with reads and efficiency fit better in corner role; ability to glove ball can be shaky at times
Arm	60	plus strength; solid carry with accuracy; profiles well in corner OF role

Athletic OF with potential five-tool ability. Former second-round pick, acquired in trade for Cole Hamels. Hit tool flashes plus with ability to spread the field. Short path to ball and ability to drive to gaps. Lots of swing-miss, impatience at the plate to limit on-base ability. Raw pull strength; tendency to hit to middle of field limits HR output, but will rack up doubles. Power output likely a tick below-average. Average speed plays up in field, less impactful on bases. Plus range in field; can cover CF, though profiles better in corner role. Arm is plus and capable of impact. Should prove to be solid offensive, defensive contributing corner OF.

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